IFN Staff

The District 32 Bar Association on Tuesday nominated five attorneys for consideration to fill the vacant Iredell County District Court judge position created by the recent resignation of Bryan Corbett.

After hearing short speeches by six nominees at the Iredell County Hall of Justice, members selected Daryl Davidson Sr. (69 votes) as their top choice, followed by Adam Hilton (66), and Jessie Conley (42). Martin Gottholm and Susan Ervin tied for fourth (24). Jennifer Chandler finished sixth.

Corbett, a Republican who was elected to a second term in November of 2024, resigned unexpectedly on March 7, citing personal reasons.

Gov. Josh Stein will select Corbett’s successor, who will serve out the remainder of the four-year term. The governor, a Democrat, is not bound by the rankings of the local bar association or by party affiliation.

Davidson, Hilton, Gottholm, and Ervin are all registered Republicans. Conley is a registered Democrat.

In his speech, Davidson pledged to be fair and respectful to everyone, including the attorneys and courthouse staff, if he is chosen by the governor. A Statesville native, he has worked as an attorney for 25 years. Having family members who have been charged with crimes and others who have been victims in juvenile court cases are also part of his lived experience, he said.

Recalling “painful” losses in two previous judicial elections, Davidson asked for the bar association’s support during the nominating process.

“It’s not about being part of a political party or part of a group,” he said. “It’s about serving the public. It’s about being fair.”

Hilton, who has worked for the Iredell County Department of Social Services as a staff attorney for 10 years, said he was seeking the nomination and appointment because of the opportunity to serve the community.

“I want the power to truly make a difference in the lives of others,” he said.

Conley, who highlighted her previous experience as a District Court judge and 30 years of legal experience, said she would work to reduce the backlog in pending cases if she was selected. She also touted her experience as a mediator and vowed to be accessible if she is chosen to fill the vacancy.

Meanwhile, Ervin said her experience working in juvenile court, service to domestic violence victims as a Legal Aid attorney, and work with four local nonprofits have all qualified her to serve on the bench.

“I believe in kindness and respect and treating all people equally,” she said.

Gottholm, who worked as an assistant district attorney and District Court judge before going into private practice, said his experience would serve him well if he was selected, but he also had high praise for the other nominees.

There are “six fine candidates,” he said. “Any one of them is going to make a fine judge.”

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